Chapter 15

With Darlington’s parents pounding at Black Elm’s door, Alex orders Turner and Dawes to stay hidden. Lacking backstory, she seeks help from the bathrobed old man she’s seen: Darlington’s grandfather’s Gray. She allows him to enter her, tasting his cancer and consuming his vivid memories.

Through his eyes, Alex sees Black Elm’s past: a proud dynasty reduced to loneliness; a hard man mourning wife and parents; a contemptuous view of his son; and fierce hope invested in grandson Danny. Dying and fearing losing the house to medical costs, the grandfather coerces young Danny to inject morphine, a “knight’s lance,” to end his life.

After death, the grandfather wanders Black Elm, watching Danny struggle. He senses disaster as Danny brews a red concoction and, powerless to stop him, watches Danny pour it into a cherished Arlington Boots box and drink. The intensity forces Alex to vomit and regroup as the doorbell rings.

Adopting a cool, rich-girl persona, Alex opens the door with Cosmo in her arms and claims she’s house-sitting while Darlington is in Spain and setting boundaries. When Daniel presses, the grandfather surges through Alex’s voice, savaging him as a coward. Shaken, Daniel retreats to the car as Harper threatens legal action, and they speed off.

Alex thanks Cosmo and forces the grandfather back out, warning him not to try possessing her again. She returns to Dawes and Turner, having protected their secrecy and gained damning insight into Darlington’s family and the perilous ritual Danny attempted.